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"My act was influenced by the cases I am investigating: one of them is the most serious involving financial issues in the Polish military," he said.

"I could accept the fact that my car had been damaged, a tyre loosened in an attempt to kill me and that my dog had been killed. I also knew about the bounty on my head but I couldn't accept that I had been accused of an illegal action."

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Colonel Przybyl had tried to commit suicide after interrupting a press conference in the western city of Poznan to "air the room". After journalists had left his office he put a pistol in his mouth and pulled the trigger. A television camera left rolling recorded the sound of the gun being cocked, a shot and that of a body hitting the floor.

The officer attributed his survival to a technician trying to adjust television cables.

"I wanted to commit suicide," he explained. "I put the pistol in my mouth but my hand shook when I saw the door handle move. A man who wanted to shift the cables saved me, the bullet hit my cheek and didn't go through my head."

He said he was carrying the pistol for personal protection owing to fears that his life was in danger.

The lawyer was taken to hospital but made good progress following an operation for facial injuries. He should be fit enough to leave in a couple of days.

During his hospital interview the colonel also claimed that his corruption investigation had prompted authorities to speed up their attempts to place military prosecutors under civilian control. At Monday's press conference Colonel Przybyl suggested the reforms put at risk "the life and health of the Polish soldier".

I could accept the fact that my car had been damaged, a tyre loosened in an attempt to kill me and that my dog had been killed. I also knew about the bounty on my head but I couldn't accept that I had been accused of an illegal action

Colonel Przybyl's department was alleged to have made illegal attempts to hack into phones owned by journalists reporting on the leak of classified information relating to the 2010 Smolensk air disaster that claimed the lives of Lech Kaczynski, the Polish president, and dozens of the country's political and military elite.

Confronted with these allegations he said he also wanted to take his own life "to protect the honour of the office". Asked by a reporter how he felt, Colonel Przybyl replied: "As if I had been shot".

The Daily Telegraph, London

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